Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 449 Inspection (Part 1)

In July, Pei Yan and Yang Huai returned after traveling a long way around the north.

“The weather is hot, and even though the head was prepared with quicklime, it couldn’t last long and rotted in less than half a month. This way of showing it off is much more effective.” Pei Yan reported excitedly, “Everywhere I went, I personally showed them Magistrate Jiang’s head and explained the wrongdoings he had committed. They were all terrified and swore to the heavens that they would never do such a thing.”

Yang Huai added with a smile, "Commander Pei is very powerful, and everyone respects him wherever he goes. He encountered two groups of bandits along the way, which he dealt with easily. Some villagers also came to him after hearing about him, and he took them on as well. He also dealt with the village bully who had seized people's land and houses."

In the past two months, Pei Yan has been busy, not only displaying the head of Magistrate Jiang, but also "incidentally" doing a lot of other things.

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and teased with a smile, "Commander Pei's reputation is about to spread throughout the North."

Pei Yan was very proud and not modest at all: "I am second only to the emperor."

He used to call himself the number three figure in the Pei family army, but now that Pei Yun is far away, he has moved himself up a bit more without any hesitation.

The emperor's personal guards all turned their heads away, secretly amused.

"You two have been traveling for two months, you must be tired. Go and rest for a few days." Pei Qinghe said with a smile, "I need to inspect the northern lands, I will set off in a few days."

This was something that had been planned long ago.

Pei Yan nodded in agreement and went back to rest with Yang Huai.

This was Pei Qinghe's first inspection tour of the northern regions outside Yan County since his ascension to the throne, and it was a matter of great importance, given the attention it received. Mao Hongling had come with two thousand elite soldiers, and the Emperor's personal guard of one thousand men had also been replenished to full strength, bringing the total to three thousand elite soldiers accompanying him. Even if a mutiny occurred in the military camp, they could handle it with ease.

Prime Minister Pang is old and will remain in Yan County to handle daily government affairs. Pei Qinghe selected Minister Qin and two Hanlin scholars to accompany him, while leaving Shi Yan and Meng Bing behind.

This is only to be expected. The new dynasty has only been established for a few months, so it is necessary to have a reliable confidant to guard Yan County.

The next few months will be crucial, with the autumn harvest and the annual autumn land tax being collected – both extremely important matters. It will also be the busiest time for the Ministry of Revenue. Shi Yan definitely needs to stay.

As the Minister of War, Meng Bing was able to follow the emperor's orders to deploy troops and ensure that important military operations would not be delayed.

Having finalized the itinerary and prepared sufficient military provisions, weapons, and warhorses, Emperor Zhaoyuan personally led three thousand soldiers from Yan County on a day at the end of July.

Prime Minister Pang led his officials to see him off ten miles outside the city.

Under the bright and blazing sun, Emperor Zhaoyuan, riding his horse, looked dashing and said to his ministers with a smile, "I have done my best to get back for the New Year. I will leave the affairs of the court to you all."

The ministers clasped their hands in unison and responded loudly, "Your subjects will certainly do their utmost!"

Pei Qinghe smiled again, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the officials one by one, finally landing on Shi Yan's face, where she paused for a moment.

Shi Yan also looked up at that moment and met her gaze.

Even if they felt reluctant to part, they couldn't show it in front of others. Besides, both of them were people who were used to doing great things, and parting was commonplace for them.

Pei Qinghe quickly withdrew his gaze and spurred his horse onward.

Pei Yan and Yang Huai followed on horseback, one on each side. A group of imperial guards from military families, led by the eldest Song Dalang, surrounded the emperor. The young men of the Pei family also rode along. The officials stood there for a long time, waiting until all three thousand elite soldiers had left and disappeared from sight, before turning back together.

Shi Yan went directly to the Ministry of Revenue.

The new court was short-staffed; every department was lacking personnel. Even the Ministry of Revenue, besides Minister Shi Yan, had only one Vice Minister, two Secretaries, three Assistant Secretaries, and several clerks—a total of twelve people. They were all extremely busy every day.

In order to prepare enough food and supplies for the emperor's tour, everyone in the Ministry of Revenue was so busy that they practically lived in the office.

Several officials from the Ministry of Personnel were initially somewhat resentful of Shi Yan, the new Minister of Revenue. They were all veterans of the Ministry, with far more seniority than Shi Yan. Vice Minister Lin, in particular, had originally expected to be promoted to Minister of Revenue. Who would have thought that Shi Yan, through nepotism, would be parachuted into the Ministry of Revenue and become his direct superior?

As a member of a respectable family who passed the imperial examinations twice, and having served in the Ministry of Revenue for over a decade, it was only natural that he would feel resentful and dissatisfied, having to bow down to a young man in his twenties.

But who could blame him for being lucky enough to join the Pei family army early on and become Pei Qinghe's son-in-law?

Pei Qinghe conquered the land, established a new dynasty, and became emperor. It was only natural that she appoint her husband as Minister of Revenue, in charge of the purse strings. From beginning to end, Minister Lin had no say in the matter.

Minister Qin and Vice Minister Lin had a close personal relationship, and Qin had privately instructed them several times: "The Emperor is not one to neglect public duty for personal reasons. He appointed Shi Yan as Minister of Revenue because Shi Yan truly has the ability to manage the Ministry of Revenue. Don't underestimate this young man!"

Lin, the Vice Minister, replied with a forced smile, "This world belongs to the young. You and I are both getting old, how dare we look down on the young?"

This statement not only touches on fashion books but also sweeps across a wide range of topics. Leaving aside the civil officials, on the military side, those who have gained the emperor's trust, are heavily relied upon, and are promoted are almost all under thirty years old. They are a group of ambitious, passionate, and driven young people!

Minister Qin didn't dare to offer much advice, and simply smiled and said, "Let's wait and see."

As a result, after Shi Yan took over the Ministry of Revenue, everything was done in an orderly manner. He cleaned up the warehouse and re-established the accounts. Everything was done properly and there were no mistakes.

However, Vice Minister Lin made two mistakes after taking on the task. Shi Yan didn't want to embarrass Vice Minister Lin in front of everyone, so he privately invited Vice Minister Lin to his side and pointed it out.

Having his weakness exposed and his face saved, Vice Minister Lin could no longer act arrogantly. The other two physicians had similar experiences.

This fashion editor is indeed young, and it's true that her husband is a relative of the emperor. She is also extremely skilled in accounting, incredibly intelligent, and adept at handling complex matters.

Over the course of several months, the Ministry of Revenue gradually fell into Shi Yan's hands.

Shi Yan summoned Vice Minister Lin and others and said to his subordinates, "Every autumn, the northern regions must prepare for war to guard against the Xiongnu barbarians. Last year, the Emperor won a great victory, and the Xiongnu suffered a crushing defeat. This year, the Xiongnu may not dare to come. However, our Ministry of Revenue must make preparations in advance."

Vice Minister Lin nodded in agreement: "What the Minister says is absolutely right."

The two doctors also chimed in with their opinions.

Preparing military supplies is the most tedious task, with military rations being of paramount importance. Sufficient fodder for warhorses, thick uniforms, sturdy and warm shoes and socks, armor, and weapons must all be prepared. In addition, large quantities of oil, salt, sugar, meat, and easily stored vegetables must also be prepared.

Shi Yan smiled and said, "Since everyone agrees, from today onwards, the entire Ministry of Revenue should get moving and prepare sufficient military supplies."

(End of this chapter)